Prabowo in North Sumatra: Garoga River Bridge Visit | Tapsel

President Prabowo Inspects Garoga River Bridge Construction in North Sumatra

President Prabowo Subianto conducted a site visit to North sumatra on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, to oversee the progress of a crucial Bailey bridge being constructed across the Garoga River in the Batang Toru region of South Tapanuli Regency. The inspection underscores the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development in disaster-affected areas and restoring vital transportation links.

Presidential Arrival and High-Level Delegation

The presidential aircraft,PK-GRD,touched down at Raja sisingamangaraja Airport in Silangit at 11:25 WIB. President Prabowo, dressed in his signature safari suit and navy blue hat, was greeted upon arrival by a delegation of prominent government officials. Among those present were Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Territorial Affairs Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Army Chief of Staff general Maruli Simanjuntak, Deputy Commander General Tandyo Budi Revita, and North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution.

Did you know? – Bailey bridges are pre-fabricated, portable bridges known for their quick assembly. They were originally designed by British engineer Donald Bailey during World War II for military use.

President Prabowo’s visit to South Tapanuli was prompted by recent disruptions to transportation caused by damage to the existing infrastructure across the Garoga River. The new Bailey bridge is a direct response to these challenges, aiming to reconnect communities and facilitate the flow of essential goods and services. The President wanted to personally assess the progress and ensure the project remained on schedule.

Immediate Site Inspection

Following the welcoming ceremony,President Prabowo promptly transferred to a helicopter and proceeded to South Tapanuli. He was accompanied by a contingent of cabinet members,including Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya,Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi,and Head of the Communications Agency Angga Raka Prabowo. The purpose of the visit was to personally assess the construction of the Garoga River Bailey bridge.

Pro tip – Bailey bridges are often used in emergency situations because they require minimal foundations and can be erected quickly, even in challenging terrain.

Construction of the Bailey bridge commenced on Thursday, December 18, 2025, and is intended to provide a critical link following recent disruptions. The bridge boasts a span length of 40 meters, a width of 3.75 meters, and is engineered to support a load class of up to 30 tons. This robust design ensures the bridge can accommodate important traffic and facilitate the efficient movement of goods and people throughout the region.

The rapid deployment and construction of the Bailey bridge exemplify the government’s proactive approach to disaster response and infrastructure resilience. The completion of this project will undoubtedly contribute to the economic recovery and improved quality of life for communities in South Tapanuli.

As of December 31, 2025, construction of the Garoga River Bailey bridge is proceeding as planned. President Prabowo expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting infrastructure projects that benefit local communities. The bridge is expected to be fully operational in the coming weeks, restoring a vital transportation artery for the region and aiding in it’s recovery from recent disruptions.